GibbsCAM

TUTORIAL
VERSIONS 2000 & 2002
PRODUCTION
MILL

PRODUCTION MILL
WITH SOLIDS IMPORT

JEFF HATLEY

SDC

PUBLICATIONS

Schroff Development Corporation

www.schroff.com
www.schroff-europe.com

LATHE

Chapter 4

The CAM Process

Introduction
There are 6 exercises in this chapter. For each exercise you will open a part
file that contains CAD geometry. You will then set up the tools needed to
machine the part, create machining processes, simulate them, and post
process the machining operations to generate CNC code.
Part files for the exercises in this chapter can be downloaded at www.schroff1.com.

Exercise 1 Drilling
Note: The machine type, units, stock size, and CAD geometry for this part
have been set up.
Choose File-Open from the Main Menu. Select the file DRILLING.vnc and
click on Open. The CAD geometry for this part consists of points that will
be used for drilling operations.

Select the Tools icon in the Top Level Palette to open up the Tool List.

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Double click on Tile 1 in the Tool List to create the first tool.

The Tool Creation dialog box will appear. Select the drill as the tool type.
Enter the values in the diagram to define the size of the tool.

Close the Tool 1 dialog box.

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The tool will appear in the Tool List.

Double click on Tile 2 in the Tool List to create the second tool.

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The Tool Creation dialog box will appear. Select Tap as the tool type. Enter
the values shown to define the size of the tool.

Close the Tool 2 dialog box. The tool will appear in the Tool List.

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You are now ready to begin the machining operations. Select the CAM icon
on the Top Level Palette to open the Machining Palette, Process List, and
Operations List.

Machining operations are created by dragging a tool from the Tool List and
a machining function from the Machining Palette on to the Process List.
Select the Drilling icon from the Machining Palette and drag it to Tile 1 of
the Process List.

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Select Tool 1 from the Tool List and drag it to Tile 1 of the Process List.

The Process dialog box will appear.

For the Entry Exit Cycle choose Feed In Rapid Out.

Enter 1 for the Entry Clearance and Exit Clearance. Enter 3 for the spot
diameter (This is the diameter of Tool 1). Enter 0 for the Z surface value.
Enter 3 for the final Z depth of the tool. The software will automatically
enter the value 2.XXX based on the Tool Creation diagram.

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Enter the remaining values as shown.

Close the dialog box. You will now select the geometry for this operation.
Hold down the control key and select the four points located in the center of
the part.

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Complete the operation by clicking on Do It on the Machining Palette.

Change your view to a Front View. This will allow you to see the drilling
depth. The orange lines represent the tool path.

Change the view to an isometric view. To simulate this operation click on

the Cut Part Render icon on the Top Level Palette.

The Rendering Controls will appear. Click on the Visible Tool icon as
shown. Hit the Stop button and then the Rewind button to reset the
simulation. Hit the Play button to run the simulation.

Note: You can drag the slider + or to speed up or slow down the
simulation.

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Select the Cut Part Render icon again on the Top Level Palette to exit the
simulation. Notice that a Drilling icon appears on Tile 1 of the Operations
List. The Operations List contains the final output.

To begin the second operation, select Tile 2 on the Operations List.

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Only the information from the Operations List will be included in the final
output. Drag Tile 1 from the Process List to the Trash Can.

Drag the Tap tool (Tile 2 of the Tool List) to Tile 1 of the Process List.

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Drag the Drilling Icon to Tile 1 of the Process List.

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The Process dialog box will appear. Enter the values as shown.

Close the dialog box. Hold down the control key and select the 4 corner
points as shown.

Click on Do It.

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To simulate this operation select the Cut Part Render icon from the Top
Level Palette.

The Render Controls will appear. Hit the Stop button and then the Rewind
button to reset the simulation. Hit the Play button to run the simulation.

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You are now ready to post-process the output. Select the Post icon from the
Top Level Palette.

The Post Processor dialog box will appear.

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Select the Post Processor Selection button.

The Open Post File Selection Box will appear. See your instructor or system
administrator for the location and name of the Post File you will use. Select
the file and click on Open.

Select the Program Name Button.

The Save NC File dialog box will appear. Enter DRILLING in the File
name box and choose NC files (*.NCF) as the Save as type. Click on Save.
This is the file that will be downloaded to the CNC mill to machine this part.

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Select the Text Window button to view the CNC code.

Notes:
1. Clicking on the Process button would update an older file with the
same name.
2. The .NCF file can be opened and edited in many NC editing programs
such as Gibbs Editor.
Close the Post Processor dialog box.
This completes the exercise. Save the file. Choose File-Save from the Main
Menu.

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